Mosaic tile and method



March 10, 1959 Filed Oct. 28, 1957 c. w. POWELL 2,876,574

MOSAIC TILE AND METHOD 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 his INVENTOR.

C/MAZES M POM/6Z1 BY March 10, 1959 c. w, POWELL MOSAIC TILE AND METHOD2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 28. 1957 JNVENTOR.

C/IAAZAS w. Pan 14 States 1 The .present invention relates to mosaictiles, and in particular to an improved method for the manufacture of asimulated mosaic and to an improved mosaic product useful for a widevariety of decorative purposes.

With the ever increasing and widespread popularity of do-it-yourselfkits, hobbyists and amateur artists have popularized paint sets havingpicture outlines with numbered areas for designating prescribed regionsof ditferent colors such that the overall picture will have a colorcomposition of attractive appearance. Despite the most careful executionby the user of such kits, the aesthetic impression created by the endproduct is somewhat stilted and easily recognized as a work from thistype of kit.

Broadly, it is an object of the present invention to pro vide animproved type of do-it-yourself kit which makes possible the creation ofa wide variety of pictures and designs with attractive composition andprofessional appearance. Specifically, it is Within the contemplation ofthe present invention to provide an improved product and method for thecreation of simulated mosaics of prescribed designs. Advantageously,such mosaics may serve as wall ornamentation or may be incorporated intoobjects of furniture and accessories, such as tables and lamps, toenhance the decoration of such objects and accessories.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method andproduct for the creation of simulated mosaics which approach, incharacter and color, a mosaic made of tiles set in mortar.

In accordance with method aspects of the present .invention, a simulatedmosaic may be created by forming a transparent sheet with a pattern ofcontiguous tile-like projections on the front face thereof and withcorresponding depressions on the rear. face thereof. This sheet isturned over to bring the depressions uppermost whereupon the depressionsmay be colored in accordance with an overall pattern or design.Conveniently, the

coloring may be achieved with water or oil paints which are brushed ontothe walls of the individual depressions. Advantageously, the hobbyistmay assemble the transparent sheet, preliminary to painting, over acolor-coded instruction sheet having tile outlines in the pattern formedon the transparent sheet, with the depression containing rear face ofthe transparent sheet uppermost and with the tile outlines on theinstruction sheet registering with the tile pattern. Accordingly, thecolor coding of the instruction sheet will be visible in each of thedepressions to appropriately inform the user of the prescribedcolor'imparted to the region which is being pain ted or colored. 1

The simulated mosaic which may be'made in accordance with the presentinvention comprises a transparent sheet including a series of embossedregions shaped to simulate individual tiles of a mosaic pattern. Theindividual tiles or embossed regions are separated by scoring, which hasthe appearance of mortar lines about the respective tiles. The embossedregions are colored "by ice placing paint or other coloring medium inthe corresponding depressions or shallow cavities on the rear faces ofthe respective tiles, while the mortar line is given a particular colorby mounting the entire facing sheet on a coextensive backing sheet ofthe color which is to-be imparted to the mortar lines.

Among the contemplated uses for my simulated mosaic, are mountedpictures for walls, decorative ornamentation for serving trays,decoration for lamp bases, ornamental coverings for tables, and numerousother uses which will occur to the hobbyist.

The above brief description, as well as further objects, features andadvantages of the present invention, will be best appreciated byreference to the following detailed description of a presently preferredsimulated mosaic, and method for its manufacture, when taken inconjunction with theaccompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. l is an exploded perspective view showing an embossed transparentsheet which ultimately will make up the mosaic proper in position forassembly with a colorcoded instruction sheet;

Fig. 2 is a rear plan view of the embossed transparent mosaic sheet;

v Fig. 3 is a fragmentary section taken substantially along the line 3-3of Fig. 2 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary section of the circled portion of Fig.3;

Fig. 5 is an exploded perspective View of the completed transparentmosaic sheet in position for assembly between a mounting frame and abacking; I

Fig. 6 is a top plan view of the completed mosaic sheet when mountedwith the assembly shown in Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along theline 7-7 of Fig. 6 and looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary section of the circled portion of Fig.7; and

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a lamp, with its shade removed, showingthe completed mosaic sheet as mounted on the lamp base, which isillustrative of the many further applications of my new and usefularticle of manufacture.

Referring now specifically to the drawings,'there is shown in Figs. 1 to4, the constructional details and method for the preparation of asimulated mosaic in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of thepresent invention. Specifically, the simulated mosaic includes a facingsheet 10 of transparent plastic material, such as a flexible acetate,vinyl acetate, etc. which is a gauge of the order of ten thousandths.The facing sheet is formed with a series of embossed regions ortile-like projections 12, each of which is shaped to simulate theindividual tiles of a mosaic. The embossed regions or tile-likeprojections each include a substantial fiat top or front face 12a andbounding walls 12b, which extend substantially at right angles to thetop or front face 12a. The individual embossed regions or tile-likeprojections 12. are contiguous and meet at embossed lines or scoring14-. The respective tiles are shaped'and positioned with re spect toeach other to create a picture of design, such as the fish F illustratedherein with the embossed lines or scoring 14 imparting to the overalldesign the appearance of mortar lines between the respective tiles 12'.-As scen best in Fig. 4, the scoring or embossed lines 14 ad joinscontiguous upstanding walls of the adjacent-tiles, with the scoringterminating in a flat rear face 14a. The flat rear faces 14a of thescoring 14 are all disposed in a common plane such that said fiatsurfaces 14a may be brought into abutment with a backing sheet, as wil1.stibsequently be described. p Y

Patented Mar. 10, 1959 depression, or clup-like cavity 16 opening at therear face of the sheet 10. These shallow depressions are each defined bythe top walls 12a, 12b ofthe respective tilelike projections 12. Each ofthe tiles 12 may be colored in accordance with an overall pattern orscheme by placing paint or other suitable coloring mediums on the bottomsurfaces 16a of the individual depressions. As illustrated in Figs. 2and 3, the paint 18 or similar coloring medium may be applied over thesurface 16a by a brush B. It will be appreciated that little orno skilland dexterity is required to paint or color the individual tiles sincethe areas to be colored are isolated from each other in that each areais bounded by a continuous series of walls, thus isolating the areabeing painted from contiguous areas. Accordingly, the individual areamay be colored quite quickly and easily, care only being taken to avoidapplying the paint 18 or other similar coloring medium to the upstandingbounding walls 12b.

In order to facilitate the coloring of the individual tiles 12, acolor-coded instruction sheet 20 (see Fig. 1) is provided which includestile outlines 22 corresponding to the embossed lines 14 which define theindividual tile areas 12 on the transparent sheet 10. The individualareas bounded by the lines 22 may be coded in any convenient manner. Inthe illustrative embodiment the coding takes the form of numbered areas.It is intended that the kit include colored pictures or designs,corresponding to the design to be made, which are appropriately keyed tothe number system such that by the selection ,of a particular group ofcolors corresponding to the number designations, a particular colorcomposition may beimparted to the transparent sheet 10. With the verysame sheet and tile design, the number coding may be used with adifferent set of colors to achieve a different color composition, ifdesired. The instruction sheet 20 is arranged so that the tile outlines22 register with the score lines 14 when the transparent sheet 10 isplaced thereon with its outer face 10a abutting against the outer face20a of the instruction sheet 20 so that a number will be discernible tothe user through the bottom surface 16a of each depression 16 indicativeof the color to be imparted to the particular depression. Conveniently,the facing sheet 10 and the instruction sheet 20 may be assembled oneabove the other, as illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4, and mounted on a boardor other work surface with the required registry thereby freeing bothhands of the user to color in the designated areas.

Upon completion of the coloring, the mosaic sheet 10 will be composed ofa pattern of contiguous tiles 12 colored in accordance with the colorcoding, or with other color arrays, if the user so desires, with thescoring or mortar lines 14 framing the respective tiles still of theclear transparent plastic. An appropriate color, preferably contrasting,can be imparted to the mortar lines by placing mosaic sheet 10 against abacking sheet 24 of an appropriate color. As seen in Figs. 5, 7 and 8,the backing sheet 24 will abut the rear surfaces 14a of the mortar linesor scoring 14 and the color of the backing sheet 24 will be imparted tothe regions corresponding to the surfaces 140 which are unpainted. Evenif paint is inadvertently applied to the inner surfaces of theupstanding walls 12b (see Fig. 4), it still will not aflfect the colorof the mortar lines. Although applying the backing sheet 24 appears tobe the easiest way in which to color the mortar lines 14, the user maypaint the surfaces 14a.

- Referring now to Figs. to 8, inclusive, there is shown mounting frame26 and the backing 24. In this illustration, the mosaic 10 is fixed inthe window opening 28 of the mounting 26 and with the backing sheet 24coextensive therewith and against the rear surface thereof by the use oftapes 30 (see Fig. 7). The tape 30'is adhered to the rear surface of thebacking sheet 24 and to the adjacent rear surfaces of the mounting frame26 to fix the assembly together. It should be understood that otherforms of mounting are equally within the coutemplation of the presentinvention.

In Fig. 9 there is shown a lamp base 32 having the mosaic sheet 10wrapped thereabout, with or without the backing sheet, for impartingcolor to the score lines 14. This is readily achieved sincethe plasticmaterial of the sheet 10 is flexible and can easily be formed intogenerally cylindrical shapes.

The above illustrative applications are but a few of the many decorativepurposes for my simulated mosaic. Although the coloring is imparted tothe mosaic by paints which may be easily chipped, scratched orremoved,such coloring medium is on the rear surface of the sheet and isprotected by the transparent sheet or body. The mosaic sheet can bereadily cleaned, using warm soapy water or the like.

I claim: I I

l. A simulated mosaic comprising a sheet of trans parent material formedto include a number of adjacent raised tile-like projections on thefront face thereof with jection such that said sheet has the apeparanceof a tile mosaic, and a backing coextensive with the rear face of saidsheet, said backing being visible through said scoring to impart thecolor of said backing to said mortar lines;

2. As a new article of manufacture, a simulated mosaic including afacing sheet and a backing sheet coextensive therewith, said facingsheet being fabricated of trans-; parent plastic and including a seriesof embossed regions shaped to simulate individual raised tiles of amosaic, said embossed regions forming a series of shallow cuplikecavities on the rear face of said facing sheet separated from each otherand each adapted to receive coloring mediums which will be visiblethrough said facing sheet whereby said series of embossed regions willhave the appearance of individually colored tiles when viewed from thefront of said facing sheet, said backing sheet being visible through theportions of said facing sheet which does not receive said coloringmediums. g

3. A simulated mosaic comprising a sheet of transparent material formedto include a number of adjacent tile-like projections on the front facethereof with corresponding depressions on the rear face thereof, saidprojections being bounded by scoring having the appearance of mortarlines about said projections, the portion of said sheet forming saidscoring serving as bounding walls 4 about said depressions, and means insaid depressions for imparting color to the corresponding projectionsuch that said sheet has the appearance of a tile mosaic.

4. As a new article of manufacture, a simulated mosaic including afacing sheet fabricated of transparent plastic and including a series ofembossed regions shaped to simulate individual raised tiles of a mosaicand formed with scoring bounding said embossed regions, said embossedregions forming a corresponding series of shallow cup-;

like cavities on the rear face of said facing sheet, the portions ofsaid facing sheet forming said scoring serving as bounding walls aboutsaid cavities, and a coloring medium in each of said cavities which isvisible through said;

facing sheet whereby said series of embossed regions will have theappearance of individually colored tiles when.

viewed from the front of said facing sheet. 5. As a new article ofmanufacture, a simulated mosaic, including a facing sheet fabricated oftransparent plastic and including a series of embossed regions shaped tosimulate individual tiles of a mosaic, and formed with scoring boundingsaid embossed regions, said embossed regions having substantially flattop faces and forminga series of shallow cup-like cavities on the rearsurface of said facing sheet each adapted to receive coloring mediumswhich will be visible through the respective flat top faces of saidfacing sheet whereby said series of embossed regions will have theappearance of individually colored tiles when viewed from the front ofsaid facing sheet, the portions of said facing sheet forming saidscoring serving as bounding walls about said cavities, selected ones ofsaid top faces being disposed at different levels whereby an irregularcontour is imparted to said simulated mosaic.

6. In combination, a facing sheet of transparent plastic molded with aseries of tile-like projections, each of said tile-like projectionsincluding a substantially planar face bounded by scoring having theappearance of a mortar line, and coloring mediums on the rear surfacesof said facesimparting colors to the individual tile-like projectionswhich colors are visible from the front side of said facing sheet, theportions of said facing sheet bounding said scoring at the rear surfacesof said faces serving as barriers during the application of saidcoloring mediums such that different coloring mediums may beconveniently applied to adjacent rear surfaces.

7. In combination, a facing sheet of transparent plastic molded with aseries of tile-like projections, each of said tile-like projectionsincluding a substantially planar face bounded by scoring having theappearance of a mortar line, coloring mediums on the rear surfaces ofsaid faces imparting colors to the individual tile-like projectionswhich colors are visible from the front side of said facing sheet, andmeans on the rear surface of said facing sheet for imparting color tosaid scoring.

8. A method of creating a simulated mosaic including the steps offorming a transparent sheet with a pattern of contiguous tile-likeprojections on the front face thereof with corresponding depressions onthe rear face thereof, assembling said transparent sheet over acolorcoded instruction sheet having tile outlines in said pattern withits rear face uppermost and with said tile outlines registering withsaid pattern, and painting said depressions in accordance with the colorcoding of said instruction sheet.

9. A method of creating a simulated mosaic including the steps offorming a transparent sheet with a pattern of contiguous tile-likeprojections on the front face thereof with corresponding depressions onthe rear face thereof, assembling said transparent sheet over acolorcoded instruction sheet having tile outlines in said pattern withits rear face uppermost and with said tile outlines registering withsaid pattern, and painting said depressions in accordance with the colorcoding of said instruction sheet.

10. A method of creating a simulated mosaic including the steps offorming a transparent sheet with a pattern of contiguous tile-likeprojections on the front face thereof with corresponding depressions onthe rear face thereof, assembling said transparent sheet over acolor-coded instruction sheet having tile outlines in said pattern withits rear face uppermost and with said tile outlines registering withsaid pattern, and painting said depressions in accordance with the colorcoding of said instruction sheet, and thereafter mounting saidtransparent sheet on a backing sheet with said tile-like projectionsuppermost.

11. A simulated mosaic comprising a sheet of transparent material formedto include a number of adjacent tile-like projections on the front facethereof with corresponding depressions on the rear face thereof, each ofsaid depressions including a substantially planar bottom wall andupstanding bounding walls, said projections being bounded by scoringhaving the appearance of mortar lines about said projections, means insaid depressions for imparting color to the corresponding projectionssuch that said sheet has the appearance of a tile mosaic, and a backingcoextensive with the rear face-of said sheet, said backing being visiblethrough said scoring to impart the color of said backing to said mortarlines.

12. As a new article of manufacture, a simulated mosaic including afacing sheet and a backing sheet coextensive therewith, said facingsheet being fabricated of transparent plastic and including a series ofembossed regions shaped to simulate individual tiles of a mosaic, saidembossed regions forming a series of shallow cuplike cavities on therear face of said facing sheet each adapted to receive coloring mediumswhich will be visible through said facing sheet whereby said series ofembossed regions will have the appearance of individually colored tileswhen viewed from the front of said facing sheet, each of said cup-likecavities being bounded by substantially upstanding walls such thatadjacent cavities are effectively isolated from each other, saidupstanding walls being arranged to provide scoring about said individualtiles at the front face of said facing sheet.

x 13. A method of creating a simulated mosaic including the steps offorming a transparent sheet, the rear face of which is formed with apattern of tile-like de pressions comprising the major part of the totalsurface, the depressions having substantially perpendicular walls andbeing separated by relatively narrow elevated portions simulating mortarlines, assembling said transparent sheet over a color-coded instructionsheet having tile outlines matching said pattern with its rear faceuppermost and with said tile outlines registering with said tile-liliedepressions, and painting said depressions in accordance with the colorcoding of said instruction sheet, the perpendicular walls of thedepression acting to permit filling of the depressions with excess paintwithout disturbing the appearance of the finished simulated mosaic.

14. A method of creating a simulated mosaic including the steps offorming a transparent sheet, the rear face of which is formed with apattern of tile-like depressions comprising the major part of the totalsurface, thedepressions being separated by relatively narrow elevatedportions simulating mortar lines, assemblingsaid transparent sheet overa color-coded instruction sheet having tile outlines matching saidpattern with its rear face uppermost and with said tile outlinesregistering with said tilelike depressions, and painting saiddepressions in accordance with the color coding of said instructionsheet.

15. A simulated mosaic comprising a transparentsheet fabricated of aplastic material and having front and rear faces, said sheet having itsrear face formed with a pattern of tile-like depressions each bounded bysubstantially upstanding Walls, said sheet having its front face formedwith tile-like projections corresponding with said depressions, saiddepressions being separated from each other by said walls which mergeand define scoring serving as simulated mortar lines about saidprojections when said sheet is viewed from the front face thereof, saiddepressions and projections being shaped and arranged to form acomposite mosaic design, and coloring means in said depressions forindividually coloring said depressions such that said projections whenviewed from the front face of said sheet form said composite mosaicdesign, said walls of said depressions permitting the coloring of saiddepressions with substantially no coloring from one depressionaccidentally going into an adjacent depression and remainingsubstantially transparent to serve as contrasting simulated mortarlines.

16. A simulated mosaic comprising a transparent sheet fabricated of aplastic material and having front and rear faces, said sheet having itsrear face formed with a pattern of depressions and having its front faceformed with tile-like projections corresponding with said depressions,each of said depressions including upstanding bounding walls and aplanar bottom wall which serves as the top wall of the correspondingtile-like projection,

said depressions being separated from each other bysaid bounding wallswhich merge and define scoring serving as said sheet form said compositemosaic design, said bounding walls of said depressions permitting thecoloring of said depressions with substantially no coloring from onede-' pression accidentally going into an adjacent depression andremaining substantially transparent to serve as contrasting mortarlines.

17. A simulated mosaic comprising'a transparent sheet fabricated of aplastic material and having front and rear faces, said sheet having itsrear face formed with a pattern of tile-like depressions each bounded bysub:

stantially upstanding walls, said sheet having its front 1 face formedwith tile-like projections correspoding with said depressions, saiddepressions being separated from each other by said walls which mergeand define scoring serving as simulated mortar lines about saidprojections when said sheet is viewed from the front face thereof, 7

serve as contrasting mortar lines, and means for impart ing color tosaid contrasting mortar lines.

. 18. In a paint kit, a simulated mosaic comprising a transparent sheetincluding a series of embossed regions shaped and arranged to form amosaic pattern of individual raised tiles on the front face thereof,each of said raised tiles having a substantially flat top wall anddepending walls, adjacent depending walls cooperating to define scoringabout said raised tiles which simulate mortar lines, said top anddepending walls of each of said raised tiles defining a correspondingshallow welllike cavity accessible atthe rear of said sheet, andcoloring mediums in selected ones of said cavities visible through theflat top Walls of the corresponding raised tiles, said coloring mediumsbeing arranged such that a prescribed design is presented by said mosaicpattern of individual raised tiles, said depending walls at said rear ofsaid sheet serving as barriers preventing communication between adjacentcavities. I 19. In a paint kit, a simulated mosaic comprising atransparent sheet including a series of embossed regions shaped andarranged to form a mosaic pattern of individual raised tiles on thefront face thereof, each of said raised tiles having a substantiallyfiat top wall and depending walls, adjacent depending walls cooperatingto define scoring about said raised tiles which simulate mortar lines,said top and depending walls of each of said raised tiles defining acorresponding shallow well-like cavity accessible at the rear of saidsheet, coloring mediums in selected ones of said cavities visiblethrough the fiat top walls of the corresponding raised tiles, saidcoloring mediums being arranged such that a prescribed design ispresented by said mosaic pattern of individual raised tiles, saiddepending walls at said rear of said sheet serving as barrierspreventing communication between adjacent cavities, and means forimparting color to said mortar lines.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS237,416 Tiffany Feb. 8, 1881 307,395 Jones Oct. 28, 1884, 731,158Blackmore June 16, 1903 1,600,580 DArino et a1. Sept. 21, 1926 1,790,531Bethlern Jan. 27, 1931 1,990,224 Cochran Feb. 5, 1935 2,185,492 BarrettJan. 2, 1940 2,427,612 Lobb Sept. 16, 1947 2,645,049 Brown July 14, 1953

